Anyone see the PPC article on the real power of tuned RV8's?
Discussion
It did make me laugh, all these people saying what they had had done to their Rv8's (one guy had had an 8k converion and it was supposed to make high 300 (350+ not sure on exact claim) bhp but it made about 241 or some thing - utterly laughable.
I have alway though the basic engine was a bit of a lame duck.
Made for fun reading!
I know people that HAVE spent alot and HAVE seen very good power but mostly what people are told buy tuners or even the figures on any standard tuned up one from a kit car or the like (TVR!!) manufactures are so far off the mark as to be laughable.
I have alway though the basic engine was a bit of a lame duck.
Made for fun reading!
I know people that HAVE spent alot and HAVE seen very good power but mostly what people are told buy tuners or even the figures on any standard tuned up one from a kit car or the like (TVR!!) manufactures are so far off the mark as to be laughable.
I do think the RV8 has attained its iconic status largely by default. For decades it was the case that if you wanted to put a V8 in something it would be the Rover one simply because you couldn't get hold of anything else. And - excluding things like Jag XK engines which were generally impractical due to length and weight - it was about the only engine around that would give you 150bhp as it stood... well the Ford V6 would too, but nobody in their right mind would choose one of those over the RV8 
There simply wasn't the choice... if you wanted big power it was either the RV8 or some four tuned to the point where it was a lot less tractable than an RV8 making similar power and drinking fuel... add the semi-myth about its lightness - yes it was comparable with the weight of a B-series, but people seem to forget the B-series was bloody heavy - and there you go.
There simply wasn't the choice... if you wanted big power it was either the RV8 or some four tuned to the point where it was a lot less tractable than an RV8 making similar power and drinking fuel... add the semi-myth about its lightness - yes it was comparable with the weight of a B-series, but people seem to forget the B-series was bloody heavy - and there you go.Right on them being old school - the Oldsmobile they were developed from first came out in the mid 50's!
The only they really had in there favour was light weight and relatively small. SBC was always heavy but you could alway get mental power from them and alloy headed they really made sense. Sbf a tad harder to get the power (but not compared to the RV8) and actually close in weight with alloy heads.
Ausy V8 tourers are 5.0 and Nascar about 6.0 (both use the old iron block alloy headed engines - not their more modern replacements). Yep at this level they cost a fortune to build but a 5.0 Ausy V8 make 630+bhp limited to 7500rpm and a Nascar sbf or sbc running to about 9500, make over 850bhp (these are ultimate spec race interpreations of the base engine design though).
Best NA RV8 I have come across make about a bit below 400bhp but very good torque. Wildcats from what I have heard reeally aren't all they are cracked up to be.
The high 300bhp engines are possible but have to be by someone that really knows their onions.
My next one is a SBF (best not say waht size) but aiming for 95-101bhp litre (which you could never hope to achive from an RV8), and SBF was first out in the early sixties, SBF mid to late fifties, they can make similar or more bhp/litre compared to a sbf. RV8 similar ages but mild to moderate tuned just never delivers as much. Which brings us back to the Funny PPC Article
The only they really had in there favour was light weight and relatively small. SBC was always heavy but you could alway get mental power from them and alloy headed they really made sense. Sbf a tad harder to get the power (but not compared to the RV8) and actually close in weight with alloy heads.
Ausy V8 tourers are 5.0 and Nascar about 6.0 (both use the old iron block alloy headed engines - not their more modern replacements). Yep at this level they cost a fortune to build but a 5.0 Ausy V8 make 630+bhp limited to 7500rpm and a Nascar sbf or sbc running to about 9500, make over 850bhp (these are ultimate spec race interpreations of the base engine design though).
Best NA RV8 I have come across make about a bit below 400bhp but very good torque. Wildcats from what I have heard reeally aren't all they are cracked up to be.
The high 300bhp engines are possible but have to be by someone that really knows their onions.
My next one is a SBF (best not say waht size) but aiming for 95-101bhp litre (which you could never hope to achive from an RV8), and SBF was first out in the early sixties, SBF mid to late fifties, they can make similar or more bhp/litre compared to a sbf. RV8 similar ages but mild to moderate tuned just never delivers as much. Which brings us back to the Funny PPC Article
eliot said:
Dont spend a fortune on a rover V8 is the most sensible approach. Sort out the induction, reasonable heads, cam & exhaust and your'e done. If you want more power, get a different engine.
Better still and even better value for money is probably a turbo or s/c. You can keep it for the next engine if ever you change engines.I'd agree that trying for over 300ponies is going to be expensive and difficult but lets not forget it is a light engine for its power output and you can pick up one for a few hundred quid, box stock 3.5's make 150 and sound great spend a bit of cash on cam and inlet and you'll get 200 ponies.
They're OK up to point, a fact that which I felt was missed by the article.
that said what do I replace it with that'll fit in the same space and won't need several K in terms of new exhaust gearbox etc etc.
you can see why people stick with 'em
They're OK up to point, a fact that which I felt was missed by the article.
that said what do I replace it with that'll fit in the same space and won't need several K in terms of new exhaust gearbox etc etc.
you can see why people stick with 'em
They do sound Mega.
And I think that is half the problem - people hear the noise their car makes (and even with alot of aledged tuning think it has got to be making bonkers power to sound like that - ER NO!!).
On of the best sounding V8's is the Daimler 2500 and that always made rubbish power too.
They are Crap in most of the TVR install struggling to get past 55bhp/litre! Which is Very PANTS.
Mind you (as someone said) alot better than the Awful Ford Essex All Iron V6 Boat Anchor!
And I think that is half the problem - people hear the noise their car makes (and even with alot of aledged tuning think it has got to be making bonkers power to sound like that - ER NO!!).
On of the best sounding V8's is the Daimler 2500 and that always made rubbish power too.
They are Crap in most of the TVR install struggling to get past 55bhp/litre! Which is Very PANTS.
Mind you (as someone said) alot better than the Awful Ford Essex All Iron V6 Boat Anchor!
Time to go to church and pray - http://www.v8church.co.uk/convert_to_v8/which_v8/
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